CAF lifts ban on Ebola-free Guinea

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has lifted the ban it imposed on Guinea in January 2014.

The West African nation had been banned from hosting football matches within its territory due to the presence of Ebola and as a result, it played its continental home games on foreign soil.

In a letter signed by the general secretary of CAF, Hicham El Amrani, and addressed to the president of the Guinea Football Federation, Salifou Camara, the African body congratulated them for being Ebola-free after the declaration by WHO.

“CAF has learned with joy and relief the announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 29 December 2015, officially confirming that Guinea is now declared Ebola free. CAF thereby confirms lifting the ban on the organization of continental matches in Guinea, and for all competitions organized by CAF,” the letter said.

The World Health Organization had declared Guinea free from Ebola in December 2015.

“WHO commends the Government of Guinea and its people on the significant achievement of ending its Ebola outbreak. We must render homage to the Government and people of Guinea who, in adversity, have shown extraordinary leadership in fighting the epidemic,” a statement from WHO’s representative in Guinea read.